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Wisconsin Football: Pre-fall camp award predictions

By Christian Borman

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 27: Scott Nelson #9 of the Wisconsin Badgers tackles Travis Homer #24 of the Miami Hurricanes in the first quarter of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 27, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 27: Scott Nelson #9 of the Wisconsin Badgers tackles Travis Homer #24 of the Miami Hurricanes in the first quarter of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 27, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Rookie of the Year

Running Back – Nakia Watson

(Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
(Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

This was a tough one to predict. The Badgers were still relatively young last year so there really isn’t a glaring opening for a “rookie” to come in and get some meaningful playing time. Nakia Watson will be a bold pick on my part. I think he will have a better chance to get playing time than any other freshman or first-year players.

He was running with the twos during spring camp and has a real opportunity to earn more playing time this fall. He will need to compete with the rest of the running backs outside of Jonathan Taylor to earn the number two spot in the base package. If he can beat out Bradrick Shaw, Brady Schipper, Julius Davis, and Isaac Guerendo, he should be able to see his fair share of carries this season.

More. 2019 Fall Camp Position Preview - Running Back. light

Someone needs to win the backup job. I predict that Watson will be that guy. Chryst can’t run Taylor into the ground, so there has to be another back to come in and make a difference. Watson will pick up the slack when Taylor needs a breather or if he gets injured.

At 5’11” and 212 pounds, Watson is a powerful runner who goes north and south. He doesn’t have the blazing speed that Jonathan Taylor does, but can gain yardage after first contact and can be tough to take down. Unless Mertz or another freshman earns a starting job, I think Watson will be a nice surprise and show he can be the future at running back for RBU.

Other candidates: Graham Mertz, Spencer Lytle, Julius Davis